Jerry Lynn Hudson Kilpatrick Funeral HomeRuston, LAJerry Hudson, age 76, passed away suddenly on December 25, 2015 in Ruston, LA. Jerry was born January 22, 1939 in Stamps, Arkansas to Cecil and Clara Hudson and was the youngest of four children. He grew up in Springhill, Louisiana, graduating from Springhill High School as valedictorian. He was a three sport letterman in football, basketball and track. He was inducted into the Springhill High School Athletic Hall of Fame. He attended Louisiana State University as a freshman, playing football and earning the distinction of Freshman SEC. All American. His love of North Louisiana and his desire to pursue a career in Engineering, led him to Louisiana Tech University, where he continued to excel academically and athletically. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering in 1961 and a Master, also in Chemical Engineering, in 1976. He was a three year letterman on the La Tech football team earning the distinction of All American and Academic All American in 1959. Upon graduation, he joined the US Army as a Patent Engineer and served for two years. His highly successful professional career of more than 40 years included time with International Paper; Ford, Bacon & Davis; Brock and Blevins, and Farnell Associates; in addition, he was a principal in the Rand, Shamblin, and Hudson Engineer firm. He left fingerprints on pulp and paper mills, petrochemical plants, industrial power generating plants, specialty chemical plants, public utility generating plants and other medium to heavy industrial facilities. He retired as Engineering Manager and Vice President/General Manager of BE&K Mobile, Alabama office. He enjoyed a post-retirement career as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of South Alabama. In 2007, he returned to Ruston, LA and his beloved Louisiana Tech University. His university affiliations include three terms as President and Life Director of the Engineering and Science Foundation Board of Directors, President of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, and President of the Louisiana Tech University Foundation Board of Directors. He was especially proud when he was named Alumnus of the Year in 2011. He enjoyed supporting all things athletic and attended as many sporting events as possible. Jerry is preceded in death by his wife, Linda Allen Hudson; brother, Dale Hudson; sisters Helen Hudson Whitten and Georgia Hudson Speer; and his parents. He is survived by his children, Melanie Hudson of Charlotte, NC; Dr. Melinda Hudson Parker and husband Tim of Denison, TX; and Dr. Stephen Hudson and wife Mary of Little Rock, AR; grandchildren, Caroline, Mary, and Will Parker and Ben and Sam Hudson; sister-in-law, Pat Hudson of Tuscaloosa, AL; nieces, Lisa Powell and husband Ken of Gainesville, GA; Cathy Collier and husband Sam of Tuscaloosa, AL; Court Whitten and wife Diane of Lilburn, GA; and Mike Hudson and wife Patty of Niceville, FL. Memorials may be made to the Louisiana Tech Athletic Club (LTAC) at P.O. Box 1190 Ruston, LA 71273. Checks can be made to Louisiana Tech Foundation with the memo lineIn Memoriam of Jerry Hudson. Also gifts can be made online at latechalumni.org/LTAC. Arrangements include visitation from 4:00 6:00 PM Saturday, January 2 at Kilpatrick Funeral Home in Ruston, LA; funeral service at 2:00 PM on Sunday, January 3 at Temple Baptist Church in Ruston, LA officiated by Dr. Reggie Bridges; and burial at 4:30 PM at Springhill Cemetery, Springhill, LA. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.